Rourkela Special Jail Sanitation Worker Arrested for ₹5 Lakh Cheque Fraud
Rourkela police arrested Rahul Mangan, a 35-year-old sanitation worker at Rourkela Special Jail, for allegedly forging the jail superintendent's signature to siphon ₹5 lakh.
Rourkela: Police in Odisha’s steel city have arrested a 35-year-old sanitation worker employed at Rourkela Special Jail for allegedly forging the signature of the jail superintendent and siphoning off ₹5 lakh from an official government bank account.
The suspect, identified as Rahul Mangan, was taken into custody following a swift police investigation and produced before a local court on Saturday. He has been remanded to judicial custody under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 338, 336(3), 340(2), and 318(4), which pertain to forgery, cheating, and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
According to police sources, the fraudulent transaction took place on July 13 at the State Bank of India (SBI) Uditnagar branch, where the jail administration maintains its official account. The discrepancy came to light on July 30 during a routine balance verification conducted by Rourkela Special Jail Superintendent Rushinath Naik. Upon noticing an unauthorised debit of ₹5 lakh, Naik immediately launched an internal inquiry and contacted bank officials, who produced the withdrawal cheque bearing what appeared to be his signature.
Confirming that he had neither signed the cheque nor authorised any such transaction, the jail superintendent lodged a formal complaint on July 1 at the RN Pali police station.
RN Pali police station IIC Suraj Jhankar said that they narrowed their focus on internal staff after examining banking procedures and visitor movement. Mangan was picked up for questioning, during which he allegedly confessed to fabricating the superintendent’s signature on the cheque leaf to execute the unauthorised withdrawal.
Police have so far recovered ₹26,700 in cash from Mangan’s possession.
Investigating officers are tracing financial trails and bank records to recover the remaining balance and determine whether any accomplices assisted in bypassing standard bank verification protocol during the transaction.
The incident was reported on Sunday, August 2, 2026, by the OB Bureau.
The article appears in the City, Crime, Rourkela section.
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Who was arrested in the Rourkela jail cheque fraud case?
Rahul Mangan, a 35-year-old sanitation worker employed at Rourkela Special Jail, was arrested by Rourkela police.
How much money was allegedly siphoned?
The suspect allegedly siphoned ₹5 lakh from the jail's official government bank account.
When did the fraudulent transaction occur?
The fraudulent transaction took place on July 13 at the State Bank of India (SBI) Uditnagar branch.
How was the fraud discovered?
The discrepancy came to light on July 30 during a routine balance verification by Rourkela Special Jail Superintendent Rushinath Naik.
What legal sections was the suspect charged under?
He was charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 338, 336(3), 340(2), and 318(4) related to forgery, cheating, and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
How much cash was recovered from the suspect?
Police recovered ₹26,700 in cash from his possession.
Did the jail superintendent authorize the cheque?
No, Superintendent Rushinath Naik confirmed he neither signed the cheque nor authorized the transaction, leading to the complaint on July 1.
Which police station handled the complaint?
The complaint was lodged at the RN Pali police station in Rourkela.
What is the suspect's role in the jail?
He was employed as a sanitation worker at Rourkela Special Jail.
Are there any accomplices in the fraud?
Police are investigating whether any accomplices helped bypass standard bank verification protocol during the transaction.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
View all articles by Ansuya →
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